ENGL1514 - 2024
TOPIC FOR ESSAY DRAFT
In the play Julius Caesar, Shakespeare uses the concept of tragedy to illustrate how the tragic
hero’s miscalculation brings about suffering and destruction. With reference to a tragic hero from
the play, write an essay in which you discuss how the tragic hero’s miscalculation leads not only
to his own suffering and destruction but also that of other characters and the entire society of Rome.
INSTRUCTIONS
Length of draft: 600 words
Submit to turnitin: your S.I. should be below 30%.
Penalties: Marks will be deducted for exceeding the allowable SI
referencing:
Use the Harvard method of referencing when you make use of secondary sources
(cf. Harvard referencing slides uploaded onto bb). failure to acknowledge direct
quotations in-text as well as in a bibliography or reference list will result in the
following penalties:
First instance: minus 10%.
Second instance: minus 10%
Third instance: maximum penalty mark 0f 30%
Please note, plagiarism is not acceptable under any circumstances and is
considered theft.
Interaction with the primary text:
You are expected to prove vigorous interaction in your essay with the primary text.
All observations should be substantiated by quoting from the text. Failure to do so
will result in a 10% penalty.
In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, the character of Brutus serves as a tragic hero whose miscalculations ultimately lead to not only his own suffering and destruction but also that of other characters and the entire society of Rome. Brutus, a noble and honorable man, is manipulated by Cassius into participating in the assassination of Caesar, believing it to be for the greater good of Rome. However, his decision proves to be his fatal mistake, as it sets off a chain of events that result in chaos and tragedy for all involved.
Brutus's tragic flaw is his idealism and naivety, which blinds him to the true consequences of his actions. He believes that killing Caesar will prevent him from becoming a tyrant and will save Rome from falling into a dictatorship. However, Brutus fails to see the political implications of his actions and underestimates the power of public opinion. His miscalculation ultimately leads to civil war, with the citizens of Rome turning against the conspirators and leading to their downfall.
Furthermore, Brutus's decision to join the conspiracy not only brings about his own suffering and destruction but also impacts other characters in the play. The death of Caesar sets off a chain reaction of violence and betrayal, leading to the deaths of many characters, including Cassius, Casca, and Titinius. The chaos that ensues as a result of the assassination ultimately leads to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the rise of dictatorship under Octavius and Antony.
The suffering and destruction caused by Brutus's miscalculation extend beyond the individual characters in the play to the entire society of Rome. The civil war that erupts as a result of the assassination brings about a period of turmoil and instability, with Rome descending into chaos and bloodshed. The once-great republic is torn apart by internal conflict and power struggles, ultimately leading to the end of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Roman Empire.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses the character of Brutus in Julius Caesar to illustrate how a tragic hero's miscalculation can bring about suffering and destruction not only for themselves but also for others and the society as a whole. Brutus's misguided belief in his own righteousness and his failure to foresee the consequences of his actions ultimately lead to tragedy and chaos for all involved. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the importance of considering the wider implications of one's decisions.